Dragons - the Guardians of Disease

By Sabine Jesse

January 27, 2017

Cancer… the one word that will turn your life upside down. A terrible diagnosis that nobody ever wants to hear.

It's even more dreadful when the diagnosis is made for a small child. More often than not, they are too small to even understand the evil has entered their bodies. They have to endure terrible therapies and are frequently separated from their parents.

Anke, a Clinical Lead from Germany, went through this with her son. He was diagnosed with cancer. She turned to writing adventure books about dragons because many children consider dragons to be guardians who help them conquer evil.

As the author of the series of books about Sigon the dragon, Anke read in children hospitals and during other special events. The proceeds of these readings went to an initiative for children with cancer at a clinic in Bielefeld (Germany) where her son was treated for leukemia.

It was during this time that I met Anke. I was very impressed with her books, and I formed and idea in my head. I thought that each child given the dreadful diagnosis should have a small guardian by its side.

Based on Anke’s story of Sigon the dragon, I crocheted and knitted the first dragons – our Sigolinos. Many of my friends supported and assisted me. I had a lot of busy helpers joining in the process. The group “Laneus et acus” was created and soon the first parcel with guardian animals was sent to the children’s oncology clinic in Bielefeld. Currently, we have around 1,600 members.

Our motivation to continue has always been the great pleasure and happiness in the children’s eyes. In 2016, our group sent approximately 120 parcels to children’s cancer wards or children’s hospices. The group continues to help suffering children in 2017, and it increasingly cooperates with other social projects.

We often get kind feedback from parents and children. Every single letter gives us great pleasure and we hope and wish for a speedy recovery for each child. We will give everything to see a smile light up the face of a child.